Ilha Grande Transfers the Easy Way!

The boat crossing is included with all transfers!

The Green Toad Bus offers direct transferstoIlha Grande from Rio de Janeiro and Paraty using passenger transport vehicles. Of course Ilha Grande is an island and you need a boat to get there, but don't worry, we will include your boat trip to Ilha Grande along with the shuttle.

From Rio the van makes pick-ups around the city, before heading a couple hours south to meet boats docked at the coastal town of Conceicao de Jacarei. The boat trip across to Ilha Grande allows you great views as you approach the tropical Island and the main town of Vila Abraao.

Similarly, the transfer from Paraty to Ilha Grandemakes life easier. The shuttle sets out each morning picking people up from their hostels or pousadas. You will then make the trip 2.5 hours north to meet the boat to Ilha Grande.

Save the stress of figuring out how to get to Ilha Grande from Rio de Janeiro on your own by local transport. The Rio bus terminal is a little far from where most people stay in the Southern Zone of Rio (Copacabana, Ipanema, Botafogo, etc). A taxi there alone will cost you at least $15 USD, and then you have to hope there is availability on your bus. When you arrive at the other end you then have to take another taxi from the bus terminal in Angra dos Reis to the docks hoping you are in time for the daily ferry. Instead, let us pick you up from Rio on the daily backpacker transfer services which collect you from your hostel, hotel or apartment and transfers you to an included boat to Ilha Grande.

From Rio pick-ups can be made from the Southern Zone (Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon, Leme, Lagoa) and also if your accommodation is located in Botafogo, Flamengo, Catete, Gloria and the areas of Central Downtown, Lapa and Santa Teresa. These transfers can pick up from the Santos Dumont airport, but not from the GIG international airport. For transfers from GIG continue reading!

Pick-ups from Barra da Tijuca, and accommodation located out of the tourist areas of Rio are not included in these transfers, and you will be asked to meet the van at central meeting points.

The boat drops you off at the pier of Abraao located in the centre of town and this is the principle port of the island. Walking on Ilha Grande is not suitable for baggage on wheels due to the sandy trails, but there are porters with push-carts you can hire to help you carry your bags, and following them also helps you find your accommodation.

Rio GIG Airport to Ilha Grande

Now there are regular daily departures from the Rio International Airport (GIG) to Ilha Grande.

There are 3 departures per day from a meeting point where the van will pass to pick you up. The van comes from the city with other passengers and you must be present at the meeting point by the reserved time.

Another option are regular shuttles departing between 7:00am up until 14:30pm. This is a more expensive option, but the advantage is that there will be someone to meet you from your flight and put you on the next departure. If your flight is delayed, you will be placed on the next available vehicle without charge.

Airport to Island Transfers

Both options include the boat, and you can read more information and book your transfer by clicking on the photo above!

Ilha Grande to Rio Transfers

These transfers also run in reverse from Ilha Grande to Rio de Janeiro departing daily from the same previously mentioned docks. There are 3 return transfers to Rio per day, the first departs at 10am and arrives to Rio at 13:30pm approximately. The second return transfer departs the same docks at 13:30pm and the usual arrival time is 17:30pm depending on traffic. The third departure does not operate Fridays, but the rest of the week you can also depart Ilha Grande at 17:30pm getting to Rio around 20:30pm.

Ilha Grande to Rio Airport Transfers

On all departures from Ilha Grande it is also possible to transfer to the Rio GIG and Santos Dumont airports, but if you require this make sure the above estimated arrival times are long before your flights departure in case there are delays. The GIG airport is the first drop off and you only need to inform the driver you need to go there on the day of return. of your drop-off address on the day of return!

Transport between Paraty & Ilha Grande

Getting between Paraty and Ilha Grande is also easy, with daily boat and van transfers departing once daily from both locations.

Between Paraty and the port town of Conceicao de Jacareiit is a 2.5 hour drive, and it is here your included boats make the 45 minute crossing between the mainland and Abraao. From Ilha Grande the departure starts with your boat crossing from the Abraao pier at 10:00am or 13:30pm, and you meet a van to take you the rest of the way, arriving to your accommodation in Paraty around 13:30pm & 16:30pm. From Paraty, the van starts picking up for the reverse trip at either 08:30am or 11:30am and you reach the island around midday or 16:00pm.